Tech

X-energy and its helium-cooled nuclear reactors

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 06/10/2026, 11:20:24 UTC.

Briefings

X-energy is developing small modular reactors using helium-cooled TRISO fuel to address heavy industry's need for high-temperature heat. The Xe-100 reactor operates at lower pressures and higher temperatures than traditional water-cooled designs, enabling direct steam use or 80 MW electricity generation. While the company claims intrinsic safety and a 60-year lifetime, the economic viability remains unproven, with costs potentially six times higher than solar. Current progress includes a fuel fabrication license for TRISO-X pebbles and a Texas facility operational by early 2030s, with a planned 320 MW cluster in Washington targeting the 2030s.

Key points

• X-energy's Xe-100 reactor uses helium gas as coolant to operate at higher temperatures than traditional water-cooled reactors, addressing heavy industry's need for high-temperature heat.
• The company claims the Xe-100 reactor will be intrinsically safe, with the nuclear reaction naturally slowing and stopping if temperatures rise, though commercial-scale operation remains limited to China.

Context and limitations

The article's economic analysis relies on the US Energy Information Administration's calculation that SMRs cost more than six times solar, and the timeline for the Texas facility is projected for early 2030s, not yet confirmed.

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